Passengers’ travel plans continue to face a scenario of uncertainty in the aviation sector, marked by concerns related to fuel supply, geopolitical tensions and possible impacts on flight prices. It is in this context that TAP announced a temporary change in the conditions for rebooking tickets.
According to the news agency, the Portuguese airline will waive the change fee on all tickets issued between now and June 15th. The measure applies to the various markets where TAP operates and aims to give passengers greater flexibility when booking.
What changes for passengers
The exemption allows customers to change travel dates without having to pay the usual rebooking fee. According to the same source, the change must, however, respect the original validity of the ticket issued.
TAP also clarifies that the rebooking must be completed up to seven days before the departure of the outbound flight. The news agency adds that the exemption does not eliminate possible fare differences if the class initially booked is no longer available at the time of the change.
Measure at a delicate moment
The announcement comes at a time when the European airline sector is closely following the evolution of the energy crisis and tensions in the Middle East. According to the same source, the war in Iran and constraints related to the Strait of Hormuz have raised concerns about fuel supplies and prices.
In recent days, several European and international entities have commented on the possible impacts on air transport. The European Commission even adopted new guidelines related to flight cancellations associated with kerosene shortages.
Brussels clarifies rules
According to Lusa, Brussels considers that a possible lack of fuel could be classified as an extraordinary circumstance, which could rule out passengers’ right to compensation in the event of flight cancellations.
At the same time, the European Commission clarified that high fuel prices should not automatically be considered extraordinary circumstances. The same source states that the community executive also prohibited the retroactive application of fuel surcharges, except in certain situations related to contractually provided holiday packages.
TAP maintains expanded operations
Currently, TAP provides more than 1,250 flights per week to 88 cities spread across several continents. The same source explains that the company’s network includes connections to ten destinations in North America, 15 in South America, 13 in Africa and the Middle East, seven in Portugal and 43 in other European countries.
The decision to make changes to tickets more flexible is intended, according to the air carrier, to offer an “additional layer of confidence” to customers at a time when many passengers remain attentive to developments in the international context.
Role of fuel in Portugal
Despite concerns in the sector, Galp recently assured that it does not foresee significant interruptions in the supply of aviation fuel in Portugal in the coming months.
The Portuguese oil company provides, through the Sines refinery, around 80% of the fuel needs of national airports. The company stated that there is adequate stock and supplies of jet fuel already contracted.
Measures adopted by Galp
It is also important to highlight that the company has implemented several measures since March to reinforce the system’s responsiveness, including greater monitoring of demand, reinforcement of inventories and diversification of supply sources.
Galp also explained that, in the current geopolitical context, procurement will favor imports from the United States, West Africa and several European markets.
Fear of cancellations remains
Despite the guarantees given by European authorities and companies in the energy sector, there are still warnings about possible future impacts on aviation.
The International Energy Agency recently admitted that Europe may only have jet fuel until the end of June if oil supply blockages persist. The Association of Airlines in Portugal acknowledged that, for now, there are no direct effects on the operation, but admits scenarios of cancellations and price increases if the energy crisis continues.
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